Honda to launch first electric SUV in India in December, based on 0 Alpha

Honda will launch its first electric SUV in India in December, the company said. The vehicle is based on the 0 Alpha concept, which Honda unveiled earlier this year. This marks Honda's entry into India's electric passenger vehicle market, where it has so far sold only petrol and hybrid models.

The 0 Alpha is part of Honda's new 0 Series line of electric vehicles. The production version for India will be an SUV, though Honda hasn't yet shared details on range, battery size, or pricing. The launch timing puts it close to the end of the year, when several other automakers are also rolling out new EVs.

A late but significant entry

Honda is a major player in India's car market, but it has been slow to bring electric models. Rivals like Tata Motors, MG, and Mahindra already sell electric SUVs here. Hyundai launched the Creta Electric in January. Honda's move follows a broader shift among global automakers toward electrification in emerging markets.

The 0 Series was first shown at CES 2024. Honda has said the platform will underpin multiple models, including a sedan and a larger SUV. The India launch will likely be the first time the 0 Alpha nameplate goes on sale in the country. It's unclear whether the India model will be imported or locally assembled. Honda has a manufacturing plant in Greater Noida and another in Ahmedabad, but neither currently builds EVs.

What we know so far

• Launch: December 2026
• Model: Electric SUV based on 0 Alpha concept
• Platform: Honda 0 Series
• Market: India

Honda hasn't announced a price range. For context, electric SUVs in India currently start around Rs 18 lakh and go up to Rs 35 lakh for premium models. The 0 Alpha is expected to sit in the mid-to-upper end of that bracket, though that's speculation until Honda confirms.

The company has been tight-lipped about localisation plans. Local assembly would help Honda price the SUV competitively, as import duties on fully built EVs are high. Several automakers, including Tesla, have lobbied for lower duties on imported EVs, but the government has so far resisted.

Honda's India arm has been testing the 0 Alpha on public roads for months. Spy shots have appeared on automotive websites, showing a coupe-like SUV with a closed-off grille and slim headlights. The production version is expected to keep most of the concept's design cues.

For Honda, the launch is a bet on India's evolving EV policy. The government wants 30% of new car sales to be electric by 2030. That's ambitious, given EVs made up just 2% of passenger vehicle sales last year. But with more models coming and charging infrastructure slowly improving, automakers are hedging their bets.

Honda's December launch will be closely watched. It's the company's first real test in India's electric race. If priced right, it could give Honda a foothold in a segment that's still wide open. If not, it risks being another late entrant in a market that's already crowded.

The SUV will be unveiled in India ahead of its showroom debut. Honda is expected to share more details closer to the launch date.